WaFaRa College Work Week 2015

A lot of you may remember that last summer I went to Washington Family Ranch in Antelope, OR to help provide childcare to teen moms while they were at the week long YoungLives camp. This past weekend, I went back to WaFaRa, only this time it was for the college work week. Alongside of 300+ college aged people, I helped to prepare the camp for all the campers who will be coming in just a few short months. 

Last year during the work week, I opted for helping with the actual ranch side of the camp, and I loved it so much that this year not only did I sign back up for the same job, but I conjured my friend to sign up with me. 

The thing I love about the ranching side is that you get to do manual labor (which is something my body desperately needed after sitting in classes all winter) plus you get to see views like this.

 Our group took out fences (above) on the first and last days, and on the middle day we cleared brush (below). 

 Some of the brush we took down to the creek, but a lot of it we piled into burn piles. 

 And we lit a couple of the piles on fire, which was pretty stinkin awesome. 

 This lovely lady beside me is my un-officially adopted/honorary big sister. Her name is Miranda, and she is one of my most favorite people ever. She encourages me to pursue Jesus relentlessly, and to be outside in the sunshine (or rain) whenever possible. Pretty much, I just love her a lot and I am super duper uper glad that she came on the trip with me.

 It's a Washington Family Ranch style bonfire. 

 The third work day was sunny, windy, and absolutely perfect. 

 Le sigh. 

 I literally could have sat there all day long and been perfectly and absolutely happy and content.

 After we had gotten all our work done, the bosses took us down to the cow barn on the opposite side of camp.

 Roping lessons + calf petting + puppy lovin + slobbery horses = best way to end a great weekend.

 This gal cracked me up. She was definitely not happy when the other horses were getting loved on, and was very verbal about her disgust. 

 Our crew, minus our work crew bosses (who were both super awesome and incredibly patient with all of us).

Of everyone that I met, this was my hardest goodbye. (No joke.) There is just something about being around horses and out in God's creation that makes me feel like a whole person. (Also, it didn't hurt that palominos are pretty much my favorite in the history of ever.)

It was a good weekend, and I am so thankful that I was able to go. Now back to real life and work and school and graduation looming closer by the second! 

fully funded

Seven days ago, I wrote this blog post about how I get to go back to Washington Family Ranch this summer to help provide childcare at a week long camp for single teenage moms. I talked about how I needed to raise $500 which pays for my housing/food and also lowers the cost for these girls who otherwise might not be able to come and hear about how awesome Jesus is. Because of the grace of God, and some really amazing people that He used, I am excited to announce that I am fully funded!!

If you are still interested in being a part of this great adventure, there are a couple ways you can get involved. The first would be to simply pray. Pray for these girls...a lot of whom may have never made a commitment to Jesus, or who may not even really know who He is. Pray for open hearts, great discussions, and changed lives. Pray for all of the staff and volunteers at WaFaRa...for energy, wisdom, grace, and a God-sized love for these girls and their children. The second way to get involved would be to make a donation directly to YoungLife to help one of these moms get to camp. (Click here to be directed to a page where you can do that.) 

Thanks to everyone who has already been a part of this. Whether it has been prayerfully, or financially, it has made a difference. I am so excited about what God is doing here, and can't wait for camp to start in 82 days!

I'm going back.

I open up the countdown app on my iPad and am greeted with a picture of the John Day river winding lazily through hills and fields. The numbers and words which are below said picture read: "127,163 mins until I get to go back to WaFaRa!!!" (And yes, I know. Having it count down the minutes may be a tiny bit excessive.) 89 days from today I will be making my way to the YoungLife camp in Antelope, OR. to provide childcare at a camp for teenage moms. 

This adventure started five weeks ago when I crammed some clothes and a tooth brush into my black duffel bag and set out for this place called Washington Family Ranch. I had no idea what I was in for, but I figured it was a good way to spend part of my Spring Break doing some manual labor with other college students in Central Oregon. However, I wasn't prepared for the way this camp would change my life. When I got there I was shocked at the sheer beauty of the place. When I hear the word “camp”, I think of dirty wooden floors under creaking bunks where you are trying to get settled on a mattress that probably had at least one kid throw up on it in the past thirty years. However this place was more like I would envision a retreat rather than a camp. During the time I was there, I realized how much I value both deep conversations with other people, and time alone out in God's creation. In between the valleys and mountain tops which is Central Oregon, I felt God restoring my soul and healing me. (Side note: my new favorite verse is Psalm 23:3a) Naturally, I couldn't wait to go back and started looking for opportunities to make that 196 mile trek once again. 

As I looked at WaFaRa's website, I found this thing called "YoungLives" which said something about childcare. I immediately thought, "oh hey! There is something that I could do!" (If you know me, you will know that I have gone overseas not once, but twice to provide childcare at missionary conferences and I have absolutely loved it.) As I read more of the details, I knew that this was something I wanted to be a part of. Each summer YoungLife puts on a special week long camp exclusively for teen moms and their babies, thus giving them a chance to relax and be kids again without neglecting their duties as mothers. Both women and men volunteer to go cuddle and play games with the children (I know, big sacrifice!) while their moms attend the different activities. I put in my application and just four days later received the email saying I had been accepted. 

This year's camp is July 25-31, and I need to raise $500 which pays for my housing/food and also lowers the cost for these girls who may not be able to afford it otherwise. Please keep me in your prayers as I prepare for this adventure, and also be praying for the girls who will be at this camp. I am so excited about the opportunity to be a part of this amazing ministry, and to then share it with all of you through words and pictures! 

For more information, click here or contact me at rebekahstraw@corban.edu